In 2024, Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) strengthened its position as a leading knowledge institution contributing directly to policymaking at the national, regional, and local levels. Through the involvement of its experts in strategic government bodies, the work of its university-based think tank, and scientific support provided to local governments, Unpad delivered research-based insights that inform more accurate, sustainable, and inclusive public policies. These contributions reflect Unpad’s strong commitment to bridging academia and government in order to enhance governance quality and improve community welfare.
Member of the National Economic Council
In 2024, Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) strengthened its contribution to national policymaking through the appointment of Prof. Arief Anshory Yusuf, M.Sc., Ph.D., Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business and Chair of the Unpad Professors’ Council, as a member of the National Economic Council (DEN) by Presidential Decree No. 150/P of 2024. This appointment highlights Unpad’s active role in providing expert advice and policy guidance to the national government, particularly in economic planning and welfare development. Prof. Arief emphasized the importance of maintaining pluralism in economic thought and integrating diverse perspectives in policymaking to enhance national prosperity. Through this representation, Unpad contributes evidence-based insights and academic expertise to support the government’s mission of reducing poverty and inequality, demonstrating its commitment to advancing sustainable and inclusive development in Indonesia.
Injabar Unpad, a public think thank for the Government of West Java Province
Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) provides expert advice to government through the West Java Research Center (INJABAR Unpad), a public think tank established under the Directorate of Research, Downstreaming, and Community Engagement (DRHPM). INJABAR functions as an institutional extension of Unpad’s academic expertise, serving as a research-based advisory body for the Government of West Java Province, regional governments, and other stakeholders.
Through collaborative partnerships with provincial and district governments, INJABAR supports the formulation and evaluation of public policies aimed at improving regional competitiveness and community welfare. The center facilitates the implementation of research outcomes as the foundation for evidence-based policymaking and coordinates a network of experts from Unpad’s research centers and centers of excellence. By connecting academic research with real-world governance needs, INJABAR strengthens Unpad’s role as a policy think tank, contributing to sustainable and inclusive development in West Java and beyond.
Unpad Provides Expert Environmental Policy Advice to Bandung City Government
The Center for Environmental Communication Studies of Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad), through Dr. Herlina Agustin, provided expert advice to the Bandung City Government during a consultation meeting with Commission C of the Bandung City Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) on November 7, 2024. The discussion focused on developing integrated and sustainable solutions for the city’s waste management crisis and the looming groundwater depletion issue. Dr. Herlina offered an academic perspective on the socio-environmental dynamics driving waste accumulation — including overconsumption, weak environmental awareness, and lack of recycling infrastructure — while emphasizing the need for policy reform and systemic incentives such as reward and punishment mechanisms.
She also provided scientific insights on land subsidence and groundwater degradation, recommending stricter urban planning and green space expansion to prevent future water scarcity. The DPRD members acknowledged the value of Unpad’s academic contribution in strengthening environmental policymaking and expressed readiness to support evidence-based programs through government funding. This collaboration demonstrates Unpad’s ongoing commitment to bridging academia and policy by offering expert environmental advice that promotes sustainable urban governance and resilience.